Surface acoustic wave device

ABSTRACT

A surface acoustic wave (SAW) device is provided that is suitable for mass production and that has excellent operational performance at the superhigh-frequency range. The SAW device comprises (a) a diamond layer  3;  (b) a ZnO layer  4,  with a thickness of tz, formed on the diamond layer  3;  (c) interdigital transducers (IDTs)  5,  which excite and receive a SAW, formed on the ZnO layer  4;  and (d) an SiO 2  layer  6,  with a thickness of ts, formed on the ZnO layer  4  so that the SiO 2  layer can cover the IDTs  5.  The structure of the SAW device is determined by specific numeric ranges of the parameters kh 1  and kh 2,  which are given in equations kb 1 =5·2π·(tz/λ) and kh 2 =5·2π·(ts/λ), where λ signifies the wavelength of the fundamental wave of the second mode of the SAW. The SAW device uses the fifth harmonic of the second mode of the SAW.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a surface acoustic wave (SAW) device incorporating diamond, particularly a SAW device that has excellent operational performance even at frequency ranges such as gigahertz and higher-frequency bands.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002] As stated in the published Japanese patent application Tbkukaihei 10-276061, a typical SAW device, which incorporates diamond, is known to be produced by forming a ZnO layer on a diamond layer, forming on the ZnO layer interdigital electrodes (IDTs), which excite and receive a SAW, and finally forming an SiO₂ layer on the ZnO layer to enable the SiO₂ layer to cover the IDTS.

[0003] The SAW device is intended to achieve not only excellent propagation, electromechanical coupling, and frequency-temperature properties but also low propagation loss by obtaining an optimum combination of the thicknesses of the IDTS, ZnO layer, and SiO₂ layer. The SAW device realizes a frequency-temperature property of −15 to +15 ppm/° C. and an electromechanical coupling coefficient of 0.1 to 1.3% at a propagation velocity of 8,000 to 12,000 m/s.

[0004] However, when the conventional SAW device is planned for use at a frequency band as high as 10 GHz or so, even if the propagation velocity is increased to 10,000 m/s, it is necessary to reduce the combined value of the width of the digit electrodes and the distance between the neighboring digit electrodes of the IDTs to 0.5 μm or so and the width of the digit electrodes to 0.25 μm or so. This requirement is disadvantageous for mass production of the SAW device.

[0005] Moreover, a conventional material such as quartz has a limitation of propagation velocity at 3,150 m/s, so it cannot be used for a SAW device for the superhigh-frequency band.

[0006] Another drawback is that a SAW device reduces its electromechanical coupling coefficient at the superhigh-frequency band. For example, a SAW device made with quartz, which has an electromechanical coupling coefficient of 0.1% at the fundamental wave, reduces the coefficient to 0.025% at the fifth harmonic. A low-loss filter cannot be achieved with a small electromechanical coupling coefficient.

[0007] The present invention aims to solve the foregoing problems, and its object is to offer a SAW device that is suitable for mass production and that has excellent operational performance at the superhigh-frequency range.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

[0008] A SAW device of the present invention comprises:

[0009] (a) a diamond layer;

[0010] (b) a ZnO layer, with a thickness of tz, formed on the diamond layer;

[0011] (c) IDTs, which excite and receive a SAW, formed on the ZnO layer; and

[0012] (d) an SiO₂ layer, with a thickness of ts, formed on the ZnO layer so that the SiO₂ layer can cover the IDTs.

[0013] In order to determine the structure of the SAW device, a two-dimensional orthogonal-coordinate system is provided, in which the axis of abscissa represents kh1 and the axis of ordinate represents kb2. In the above description, kh1 and kh2 are given in the following equations:

kh 1=5·2π·(tz/λ);

[0014] and

kh 2=5·2π·(ts/λ),

[0015] where λ signifies the wavelength of the fundamental wave of the second mode of the SAW.

[0016] In the orthogonal-coordinate system, the range of ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWA is provided by connecting the following 23 points with 23 lengths of lines in this order:

[0017] point A given by the coordinates “kh1=4.4 and kh2=7.4”;

[0018] point B given by the coordinates “kh1=5.0 and kh2=6.9”;

[0019] point C given by the coordinates “kh1=5.2 and kh2=6.2”;

[0020] point D given by the coordinates “kh1=5.0 and kh2=5.6”;

[0021] point E given by the coordinates “kh1=4.5 and kh2=5.1”;

[0022] point F given by the coordinates “kh1=4.0 and kh2=4.6”;

[0023] point G given by the coordinates “kh1=3.5 and kh2=4.4”;

[0024] point H given by the coordinates “kh1=3.0 and kb2=4.1”;

[0025] point I given by the coordinates “kh1=2.8 and kh2=4.0”;

[0026] point J given by the coordinates “kh1=2.6 and kb2=3.4”;

[0027] point K given by the coordinates “kh1=3.0 and kh2=3.0”;

[0028] point L given by the coordinates “kh1=3.5 and kh2=2.9”;

[0029] point M given by the coordinates “kh1=3.5 and kh2=2.0”;

[0030] point N given by the coordinates “kh1=3.0 and kh2=2.0”;

[0031] point O given by the coordinates “kh1=2.5 and kh2=2.0”;

[0032] point P given by the coordinates “kh1=2.0 and kh2=2.0”;

[0033] point Q given by the coordinates “kh1=1.8 and kh2=2.6”;

[0034] point R given by the coordinates “kh1=1.7 and kh2=4.0”;

[0035] point S given by the coordinates “kh1=2.0 and kh2=4.5”;

[0036] point T given by the coordinates “kh1=2.5 and kh2=5.2”;

[0037] point U given by the coordinates “kh1=3.0 and kh2=5.7”;

[0038] point V given by the coordinates “kh1=3.5 and kh2=6.1”;

[0039] point W given by the coordinates “kh1=4.0 and kh2=6.8”; and

[0040] point A.

[0041] The combination of kh1 and kh2 is determined so that it can fall in the range of ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWA including the surrounding 23 lengths of lines. The SAW device uses the fifth harmonic of the second mode of the SAW. Another SAW device of the present invention, also, comprises:

[0042] (a) a diamond layer;

[0043] (b) a ZnO layer, with a thickness of tz, formed on the diamond layer;

[0044] (c) IDTs, which excite and receive a SAW, formed on the ZnO layer; and

[0045] (d) an SiO₂ layer, with a thickness of ts, formed on the ZnO layer so that the SiO₂ layer can cover the IDTs.

[0046] In order to determine the structure of the SAW device, a two-dimensional orthogonal-coordinate orthogonal-coordinate system is provided, in which the axis of abscissa represents kh1 and the axis of ordinate represents kh2. In the above description, kh1 and kh2 are given in the following equations:

kh 1=5·2π·(tz/λ);

[0047] and

kh 2=5·2π·(ts/λ),

[0048] where λ signifies the wavelength of the fundamental wave of the second mode of the SAW.

[0049] In the orthogonal-coordinate system, the range of ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTA is provided by connecting the following 20 points with 20 lengths of lines in this order:

[0050] point A given by the coordinates “kh1=4.4 and kh2=6.9”;

[0051] point B given by the coordinates “kh1=5.0 and kh2=6.4”;

[0052] point C given by the coordinates “kh1=5.2 and kh2=6.2”;

[0053] point D given by the coordinates “kh1=5.0 and kh2=5.6”;

[0054] point E given by the coordinates “kh1=4.6 and kh2=5.2”;

[0055] point F given by the coordinates “kh1=4.4 and kh2=5.0”;

[0056] point D given by the coordinates “kh1=4.0 and kh2=4.6”;

[0057] point H given by the coordinates “kh1=3.5 and kh2=4.4”;

[0058] point I given by the coordinates “kh1=3.0 and kh2=4.1”;

[0059] point J given by the coordinates “kh1=2.8 and kh2=4.0”;

[0060] point K given by the coordinates “kh1=2.6 and kh2=3.4”;

[0061] point L given by the coordinates “kh1=2.8 and kh2=3.0”;

[0062] point M given by the coordinates “kh1=3.2 and kh2=2.4”;

[0063] point N given by the coordinates “kh1=2.7 and kh2=2.4”;

[0064] point O given by the coordinates “kh1=2.2 and kh2=3.0”;

[0065] point P given by the coordinates “kh1=2.2 and kh2=3.5”;

[0066] point Q given by the coordinates “kh1=2.5 and kh2=4.7”;

[0067] point R given by the coordinates “kh1=3.0 and kh2=5.2”;

[0068] point S given by the coordinates “kh1=3.5 and kh2=5.7”;

[0069] point T given by the coordinates “kh1=4.0 and kh2=6.3”; and

[0070] point A.

[0071] The combination of kh1 and kh2 is determined so that it can fall in the range of ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTA including the surrounding 20 lengths of lines. The SAW device uses the fifth harmonic of the second mode of the SAW.

[0072] A SAW device of the present invention uses the fifth harmonic of the second mode of the SAW at a propagation velocity, v, of 4,500 to 6,500 m/s. In the SAW device, the IDTs have a plurality of comb-tooth-shaped digit electrodes. When the width of the digit electrodes is expressed as dm, the distance between the neighboring digit electrodes is expressed as df, and the center frequency of the fifth harmonic of the second mode of the SAW is expressed as f₀, the digit electrode's pitch, dm+df: is expressed in the equation dm+df=(5·v)/(2·f₀). (See FIG. 2.)

[0073] A SAW device of the present invention has the IDTs of which the width of the digit electrode is 0.5 μm or more. In the SAW device, the center frequency of the fifth harmonic of the second mode of the SAW is 5.0 to 11.3 GHz.

[0074] Another SAW device of the present invention, also, has the IDTs of which the width of the digit electrode is 0.5 μm or more. In the SAW device, however, the center frequency of the fifth harmonic of the second mode of the SAW is 9.5 to 10.5 GHz.

[0075] As mentioned above, the present invention uses the fifth harmonic of the second mode of the SAW excited by the IDTs. This enables the SAW device to obtain an excellent propagation property, electromechanical coupling coefficient, and frequency-temperature property at the superhigh-frequency range. Moreover, the present invention allows the use of wider digit electrodes in the IDTs, so that mass production of the SAW device can be easily achieved.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0076] In the drawings:

[0077]FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view showing an embodiment of the SAW device of the present invention;

[0078]FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view showing the IDTs of the SAW device shown in FIG. 1;

[0079]FIG. 3 is a graph showing the electromechanical coupling coefficient of the SAW device in the First Example;

[0080]FIG. 4 is a graph showing the propagation property of the SAW device in the First Example;

[0081]FIG. 5 is a graph showing the frequency-temperature property of the SAW device in the First Example;

[0082]FIG. 6 is a graph showing the parameters kh1 and kh2 for the SAW device in the First Example; and

[0083]FIG. 7 is a graph showing the parameters kh1 and kh2 for the SAW device in the Second Example.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0084] The embodiment of the present invention is explained below by referring to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, the same element bears the same sign in order to eliminate duplicated explanations. The ratio of the dimensions in the drawings does not necessarily coincide with the explanation.

[0085]FIG. 1 shows a sectional view of a SAW device of the embodiment. As can be seen from the drawing, a SAW device 1 of the embodiment has a diamond layer 3 on a silicon substrate 2. The diamond constituting the diamond layer 3 may be either natural diamond or synthetic diamond. Furthermore, the diamond may be a single-crystalline diamond, a polycrystalline diamond, or an amorphous diamond. Although the diamond layer 3 shown in FIG. 1 is formed as a thin film on the silicon substrate 2, a single diamond body may be used without relying on a silicon substrate. In the case of synthetic diamond, the diamond layer may be formed by any method such as the CVD, ion-plating, PVD, or hot-filament method.

[0086] A ZnO layer 4 is formed on the diamond layer 3. It is desirable that the ZnO layer 4 be composed of ZnO having a c-axis orientation property. The term “c-axis orientation” is used to mean that the ZnO layer is formed in order for its (001) plane to be parallel to the substrate. When the formed ZnO layer has a c-axis orientation property and is composed of polycrystalline ZnO, a SAW device can be materialized that fully exploits the piezoelectric property ZnO innately has.

[0087] IDTs 5 are formed on the ZnO layer 4. The IDTs excite and receive SAWs. As shown in FIG. 2, the IDTs 5 sometimes take the form of single-digit electrode type. The IDTs are provided with electrodes 51 and 52, which are placed so that they can face each other. They are provided with a number of comb tooth-shaped digit electrodes 53, which protrude toward the opposite electrode. The digit electrodes 53's pitch, denoted in dm+df, is expressed in equation (1) below.

dm+df=(5·v)/(2·f ₀)  (1),

[0088] where

[0089] dm: the width of the digit electrodes;

[0090] df: the distance between the neighboring digit electrodes;

[0091] v: the propagation velocity of the fifth harmonic of the second mode of the SAW; and

[0092] f₀: the center frequency of the fifth harmonic of the second mode of the SAW.

[0093] When the propagation velocity v is 4,500 to 6,500 m/s, the digit electrodes 53 are formed with a width, dm, of 0.5 μm or more. This relatively wide width of the digit electrodes facilitates the production of the IDTs 5, which then facilitates mass production of the SAW device 1.

[0094] Although the single-digit electrode type is shown in FIG. 2, the IDTs 5 may be a dual-digit electrode type, in which two digit electrodes 53 protruding from the same electrode are coupled.

[0095] As another alternative, reflecting electrodes, such as grating reflectors, may be provided at the outside of the IDTs so that the IDTs may be placed between them. This configuration is referred to as a SAW resonator, in which the SAWs propagating between the input and output IDTs are subjected to multiple reflection between the IDTs and the reflecting electrodes to generate standing waves.

[0096] The IDTs 5 and other electrodes may be made of any conductive material, desirably aluminum in terms of processibility. When aluminum is used, a SAW's propagation velocity in the diamond layer 3 and the ZnO layer 4 decreases with increasing temperature and the velocity in the SiO₂ layer 6 increases with increasing temperature.

[0097] An SiO₂ layer 6 is formed on the ZnO layer 4 so that the SiO₂ layer 6 can cover the IDTs 5. The SiO₂ layer 6 improves the temperature property of the SAW device 1. It also acts as a protection layer for the piezoelectric body and the IDTs 5, notably reducing the effects of moisture and impurities from the environment.

[0098] It is desirable that the SiO₂ layer 6 be composed of SiO₂ that is amorphous. The temperature dependence of the SAW's propagation velocity in the SiO₂ layer 6 is opposite to that in the diamond layer 3 and the ZnO layer 4. In other words, when the temperature of the SAW device 1 rises, for example, the SAW's propagation velocity in the SiO₂ layer 6 increases and that in the diamond layer 3 and the ZnO layer 4 decreases. As a result, the SiO₂ layer 6 compensates the temperature variation of a SAW's propagation velocity in the diamond layer 3 and the ZnO layer 4. Consequently, the temperature variation of the SAW's propagation velocity in the SAW device 1 is stabilized.

[0099] Examples of the SAW device 1 of the present invention are explained below. In these examples, SAW devices were produced by changing the thickness tz of the ZnO layer 4 as a piezoelectric body and the thickness ts of the SiO₂ layer 6 as a protective layer in order to obtain an optimum combination of the propagation velocity v, electromechanical coupling coefficient K², and frequency-temperature property TCF.

FIRST EXAMPLE

[0100] The SAW device in this example was produced as explained below. A polycrystalline diamond layer having a thickness of 50 μm was formed on a silicon substrate with a size of 10×10×1 mm by using the microwave plasma CVD method. The surface of the diamond was polished with a diamond wheel to obtain a thickness of 20 μm. The polycrystalline diamond was produced by using a gas comprising CH₄ diluted by 100 times its volume of H₂.

[0101] A ZnO layer was formed by sputtering polycrystalline ZnO with a mixed gas of argon and oxygen, on the polished surface of the diamond layer. The sputtering was carried out under the conditions of a substrate temperature of 400° C., an RF power of 160 W, and a pressure of 2.7 Pa. The thickness tz of the ZnO layer was varied in the range of 1.6 to 6.0 in kh1 by adjusting the sputtering time.

[0102] In the above description, kh1 is a parameter to express the thickness of the ZnO layer in relation to the wavelength λ of the fundamental wave of the second mode of the SAW. Equation (2) below expresses this relationship.

kh 1=2π·(tz/λ _(M))=5·2π·(tz/λ)  (2),

[0103] where λ_(M): the wavelength of the fifth harmonic; λ_(M)=λ/5.

[0104] IDTs were formed on the ZnO layer by vapor-depositing aluminum by the resistance-heating method. The IDTs were of a single-digit electrode structure formed by a photolithographic procedure followed by etching. The width of the digit electrodes of the IDTs was varied.

[0105] An amorphous-SiO₂ layer was formed on the ZnO layer so that the SiO₂ layer can cover the IDTs. The amorphous-SiO₂ layer was formed by sputtering SiO₂ with a mixed gas of argon and oxygen at a ratio of 1:1. The sputtering was carried out under the conditions of a substrate temperature of 150° C., an RF power of 200 W, and a pressure of 0.01 torr. The thickness ts of the SiO₂ layer was varied in the range of 2.0 to 5.0 in kh2 by adjusting the sputtering time.

[0106] In the above description, kh2 is a parameter to express the thickness of the SiO₂ layer in relation to the wavelength λ of the fundamental wave of the second mode of the SAW. Equation (3) below expresses this relationship.

kh 2=2π·(ts/λ_(M))=5.2π·(ts/λ)  (3).

[0107] Thus, SAW devices having the structure shown in FIG. 1 were produced with various thicknesses of the ZnO layer 4 and the SiO₂ layer 6. The SAW devices were subjected to the measurements below.

[0108] The propagation velocity v of the fifth harmonic of the second mode of the SAW was measured by feeding superhigh-frequency power into the input electrodes, 51 and 52, to excite the SAW. The propagation velocity was obtained by using the relationship v=f₀·λ_(M), where f₀ signifies the center frequency.

[0109] The electromechanical coupling coefficient K² of the SAW devices was obtained by measuring the radiation conductance, G, of the IDT at the second mode of the SAW. The measurement was carried out by using a network analyzer (type: 8791A; Yokogawa Hewlett-Packard make). The coefficient K² was calculated by using equation (4) below.

K ² =G/(8·f ₀ ·C·N)  (4),

[0110] where

[0111] f₀; the center frequency;

[0112] C: the total electrostatic capacity of the IDT; and

[0113] N: the number of pairs of digit electrodes of the IDT.

[0114] The frequency-temperature property TCF of the SAW devices was obtained by the relationship between the center frequency and temperature. A SAW device was heated by a heater from room temperature to 80° C. to measure the center frequency at 10° C. intervals. The relationship between the two was shown in a straight line, and the frequency-temperature property was calculated from the gradient of the line.

[0115] Accurate values of the thickness of the ZnO layer, tz, and that of the SiO₂ layer, ts, of the SAW device were measured after measuring the foregoing parameters. The SAW device was cut to measure the thicknesses by observing the sections under a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The parameters kh1 and kh2 were obtained by using the thicknesses tz and ts to evaluate the effects of kh1 and kh2 on the properties of the SAW device.

[0116]FIG. 3 is a graph showing the relationship of the electromechanical coupling coefficient K² of the SAW device of this example to the thicknesses of the ZnO and SiO₂ layers. In the two-dimensional orthogonal-coordinate system of FIG. 3, the axis of abscissa represents the parameter kh1, which corresponds to the thickness of the ZnO layer (see equation (2) above), and the axis of ordinate represents kh2, which corresponds to the thickness of the SiO₂ layer (see equation (3) above). The numeral accompanying each curve signifies the value of the electromechanical coupling coefficient K², in the unit of percent, represented by the curve.

[0117]FIG. 4 is a graph showing the relationship of the propagation velocity v of the SAW device of this example to the thicknesses of the ZnO and SiO₂ layers. In the two-dimensional orthogonal-coordinate system of FIG. 4, the axis of abscissa represents the parameter kh1, which corresponds to the thickness of the ZnO layer, and the axis of ordinate represents kh2, which corresponds to the thickness of the SiO₂ layer. The numeral accompanying each curve signifies the value of the propagation velocity v, in the unit of m/s, represented by the curve.

[0118]FIG. 5 is a graph showing the relationship of the frequency-temperature property TCF of the SAW device of this example to the thicknesses of the ZnO and SiO₂ layers. In the two-dimensional orthogonal-coordinate system of FIG. 5, the axis of abscissa represents the parameter kh1, which corresponds to the thickness of the ZnO layer, and the axis of ordinate represents kh2, which corresponds to the thickness of the SiO₂ layer. The numeral accompanying each curve signifies the value of the frequency-temperature property TCF, in the unit of ppm/° C., represented by the curve.

[0119]FIG. 6 shows the numerical ranges of kh1 and kh2 in which the electromechanical coupling coefficient K² falls in the range of 0.2 to 0.56% in FIG. 3, the propagation velocity v is 4,500 m/s or more in FIG. 4, and the frequency-temperature property TCF falls in the range of −20 to +20 ppm/° C. in FIG. 5.

[0120] As is the case with FIGS. 3 to 5, FIG. 6 shows a graph in a two-dimensional orthogonal-coordinate system in which the axis of abscissa represents kh1 and the axis of ordinate represents kh2. In FIG. 6, the numerical ranges of kh1 and kh2 in which the electromechanical coupling coefficient K² falls in the range of 0.2 to 0.56%, the propagation velocity v is 4,500 m/s or more, and the frequency-temperature property TCF falls in the range of −20 to +20 ppm/° C. are given by a range produced by connecting points A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, T U, V, W, and A in this order, the range of which includes the surrounding lengths of lines.

[0121] In the above description:

[0122] point A is given by the coordinates “kh1=4.4 and kh2=7.4”;

[0123] point B is given by the coordinates “kh1=5.0 and kh2=6.9”;

[0124] point C is given by the coordinates “kh1=5.2 and kh2=6.2”;

[0125] point D is given by the coordinates “kh1=5.0 and kh2=5.6”;

[0126] point E is given by the coordinates “kh1=4.5 and kh2=5.1”;

[0127] point F is given by the coordinates “kh1=4.0 and kh2=4.6”;

[0128] point G is given by the coordinates “kh1=3.5 and kh2=4.4”;

[0129] point H is given by the coordinates “kh1=3.0 and kh2=4.1”;

[0130] point I is given by the coordinates “kh1=2.8 and kh2=4.0”;

[0131] point J is given by the coordinates “kh1=2.6 and kh2=3.4”;

[0132] point K is given by the coordinates “kh1=3.0 and kh2=3.0”;

[0133] point L is given by the coordinates “kh1=3.5 and kh2=2.9”;

[0134] point M is given by the coordinates “kh1=3.5 and kh2=2.0”;

[0135] point N is given by the coordinates “kh1=3.0 and kh2=2.0”;

[0136] point O is given by the coordinates “kh1=2.5 and kh2=2.0”;

[0137] point P is given by the coordinates “kh1=2.0 and kh2=2.0”;

[0138] point Q is given by the coordinates “kh1=1.8 and kh2=2.6”;

[0139] point R is given by the coordinates “kh1=1.7 and kh2=4.0”;

[0140] point S is given by the coordinates “kh1=2.0 and kh2=4.5”;

[0141] point T is given by the coordinates “kh1=2.5 and kh2=5.2”;

[0142] point U is given by the coordinates “kh1=3.0 and kh2=5.7”;

[0143] point V is given by the coordinates “kh1=3.5 and kh2=6.1”; and

[0144] point W is given by the coordinates “kh1=4.0 and kh2=6.8”;

[0145] In other words, a SAW device having an electromechanical coupling coefficient, K², to 0.2 to 0.56%, a propagation velocity, v, of 4,500 m/s or more, and a frequency-temperature property, TCE, of −20 to +20 ppm/° C. can be obtained when the SAW device is operated by using the fifth harmonic of the second mode of the SAW and when the SAW device is constituted so that the numerical ranges of kh1 and kh2 can fall in a range produced by connecting points A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, W, and A as shown in FIG. 6 in this order, the range of which includes the surrounding lengths of lines.

[0146] When the SAW device is operated at a propagation velocity, v, of 4,500 to 6,500 m/s, the digit electrodes of the IDTs can be formed with a width of 0.5 μm or more as can be derived from equation (1) above. This relatively wide width of the digit electrodes facilitates the production of the IDTs, which then facilitates mass production of the SAW device.

[0147] When the digit electrodes of the IDTs have a width of 0.5 μm or more and the fifth harmonic of the second mode of the SAW has a center frequency of 5.0 to 11.3 GHz, more desirably 9.5 to 10.5 GHz, the above-described property ranges of the electromechanical coupling coefficient K², the propagation velocity v, and the frequency-temperature property TCF can be obtained.

SECOND EXAMPLE

[0148] The SAW device in this example was produced by procedures similar to those in the First Example, with some conditions modified. It was intended that the SAW device be operated at a center frequency of about 10 GHz.

[0149] In producing the SAW device, the thickness tz of the ZnO layer was varied so that the parameter kh1 could vary from 2.0 to 6.0, and the thickness ts of the SiO₂layer was varied so that the parameter kh2 could vary from 2.0 to 8.0.

[0150] As with the First Example, graphs showing the relationship of the electromechanical coupling coefficient K², propagation velocity v, and frequency-temperature property TCF to the thicknesses of the ZnO and SiO₂ layers were provided in a two-dimensional orthogonal-coordinate system. According to these graphs, the numerical ranges of kh1 and kh2 in which the electromechanical coupling coefficient K² falls in the range of 0.4 to 0.56%, the propagation velocity vis 4,500 m/s or more, and the frequency-temperature property TCF falls in the range of −20 to +20 ppm/° C. are expressed in a graph plotted in a two-dimensional orthogonal-coordinate system as shown in FIG. 7.

[0151] In FIG. 7, the axis of abscissa represents kh1 and the axis of ordinate represents kh2 . In FIG. 7, the numerical ranges of kh1 and kh2 in which the electromechanical coupling coefficient K² falls in the range of 0.4 to 0.56%, the propagation velocity vis 4,500 m/s or more, and the frequency-temperature property TCF falls in the range of −20 to +20 ppm/° C. are given by a range produced by connecting points A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, T, and A in this order, the range of which includes the surrounding lengths of lines.

[0152] In the above description:

[0153] point A is given by the coordinates “kh1=4.4 and kh2=6.9”;

[0154] point B is given by the coordinates “kh1=5.0 and kh2=6.4”;

[0155] point C is given by the coordinates “kh1=5.2 and kh2=6.2”;

[0156] point D is given by the coordinates “kh1=5.0 and kh2=5.6”;

[0157] point E is given by the coordinates “kh1=4.6 and kh2=5.2”;

[0158] point F is given by the coordinates “kh1=4.4 and kh2=5.0”;

[0159] point G is given by the coordinates “kh1=4.0 and kh2=4.6”;

[0160] point H is given by the coordinates “kh1=3.5 and kh2=4.4”;

[0161] point J is given by the coordinates “kh1=3.0 and kh2=4.1”;

[0162] point J is given by the coordinates “kh1=2.8 and kh2=4.0”;

[0163] point K is given by the coordinates “kh1=2.6 and kh2=3.4”;

[0164] point L is given by the coordinates “kh1=2.8 and kh2=3.0”;

[0165] point M is given by the coordinates “kh1=3.2 and kh2=2.4”;

[0166] point N is given by the coordinates “kh1=2.7 and kh2=2.4”;

[0167] point O is given by the coordinates “kh1=2.2 and kh2=3.0”;

[0168] point P is given by the coordinates “kh1=2.2 and kh2=3.5”;

[0169] point Q is given by the coordinates “kh1=2.5 and kh2=4.7”;

[0170] point R is given by the coordinates “kh1=3.0 and kh2=5.2”;

[0171] point S is given by the coordinates “kh1=3.5 and kh2=5.7”; and

[0172] point T is given by the coordinates “kh1=4.0 and kh2=6.3”.

[0173] In other words, a SAW device having an electromechanical coupling coefficient, K², of 0.4 to 0.56%, a propagation velocity, v, of 4,500 m/s or more, and a frequency-temperature property, TCF, of −20 to +20 ppm/° C. can be obtained when the SAW device is constituted so that the numerical ranges of kh1 and kh2 can fall in a range produced by connecting points A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, T, and A as shown in FIG. 7 in this order, the range of which includes the surrounding lengths of lines.

[0174] When the SAW device is operated at a propagation velocity, v, of 4,500 to 6,500 m/s, the digit electrodes of the IDTs can be formed with a width of 0.5 μm or more as can be derived from equation (1) above. This relatively wide width of the digit electrodes facilitates the production of the IDTs, which then facilitates mass production of the SAW device.

[0175] When the digit electrodes of the IDTs have a width of 0.5 μm or more and the fifth harmonic of the second mode of the SAW has a center frequency of 5.0 to 11.3 GHz, more desirably 9.5 to 10.5 GHz, the above-described property ranges of the electromechanical coupling coefficient K², the propagation velocity v, and the frequency-temperature property TCF can be obtained.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

[0176] As explained above, the present invention uses the fifth harmonic of the second mode of the SAW. This enables a SAW device to obtain an excellent propagation property, electromechanical coupling coefficient, and frequency-temperature property at the superhigh-frequency range. Moreover, the present invention allows the use of wider digit electrodes in the IDTS, so that the mass production of the SAW device can be easily achieved. 

1. A surface acoustic wave (SAW) device, being characterized by the conditions of: (a) the SAW device comprising: (a1) a diamond layer; (a2) a ZnO layer: (a2a) being formed on the diamond layer; and (a2b) having a thickness of tz; (a3) interdigital transducers (IDTs): (a3a) being formed on the ZnO layer; and (a3b) having the function of exciting and receiving a SAW, and (a4) an SiO₂ layer: (a4a) being formed on the ZnO layer so that the SiO₂ layer can cover the IDTs; and (a4b) having a thickness of ts; (b) providing a two-dimensional orthogonal-coordinate system, in which the axis of abscissa represents kh1 and the axis of ordinate represents kh2 , where kh1 is expressed in the equation kh1=5·2π·(tz/λ) and kh2 is expressed in the equation kh2=5·2π·(ts/λ), λ signifying the wavelength of the fundamental wave of the second mode of the SAW; (c) In the orthogonal-coordinate system, connecting: point A given by the coordinates “kh1=4.4 and kh2=7.4”; point B given by the coordinates “kh1=5.0 and kh2=6.9”; point C given by the coordinates “kh1=5.2 and kh2=6.2”; point D given by the coordinates “kh1=5.0 and kh2=5.6”; point E given by the coordinates “kh1=4.5 and kh2=5.1”; point F given by the coordinates “kh1=4.0 and kh2=4.6”; point G given by the coordinates “kh1=3.5 and kh2=4,4”; point H given by the coordinates “kh1=3.0 and kh2=4.1”; point I given by the coordinates “kh1=2.8 and kh2=4.0”; point J given by the coordinates “kh1=2.6 and kh2=3.4”; point K given by the coordinates “kh1=3.0 and kh2=3.0”; point L given by the coordinates “kh1=3.5 and kh2=2.9”; point M given by the coordinates “kh1=3.5 and kh2=2.0”; point N given by the coordinates “kh1=3.0 and kh2=2.0”; point O given by the coordinates “kh1=2.5 and kh2=2.0”; point P given by the coordinates “kh1=2.0 and kh2=2.0”; point Q given by the coordinates “kh1=1.8 and kh2=2.6”; point R given by the coordinates “kh1=1.7 and kh2=4.0”; point S given by the coordinates “kh1=2.0 and kh2=4.5”; point T given by the coordinates “kh1=2.5 and kh2=5.2”; point U given by the coordinates “kh1=3.0 and kh2=5.7”; point V given by the coordinates “kh1=3.5 and kh2=6.1”; point W given by the coordinates “kh1=4.0 and kh2=6.8”; and point A in this order to provide the range of ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWA surrounded by 23 lengths of lines; (d) structuring the SAW device so that kh1 and kh2 can fall in the range of ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWA including the surrounding 23 lengths of lines; and (e) using the fifth harmonic of the second mode of the SAW.
 2. A SAW device, being characterized by the conditions of: (a) the SAW device comprising: (a1) a diamond layer; (a2) a ZnO layer: (a2a) being formed on the diamond layer; and (a2b) having a thickness of tz; (a3) IDTs: (a3a) being formed on the ZnO layer; and (a3b) having the function of exciting and receiving a SAW, and (a4) an SiO₂ layer: (a4a) being formed on the ZnO layer so that the SiO₂ layer can cover the IDTs; and (a4b) having a thickness of ts; (b) providing a two-dimensional orthogonal-coordinate system, in which the axis of abscissa represents kh1 and the axis of ordinate represents kh2, where kh1 is expressed in the equation kh1=5·2π·(tz/λ) and kh2 is expressed in the equation kh=5·2π·(ts/λ), λ signifying the wavelength of the fundamental wave of the second mode of the SAW; (c) In the orthogonal-coordinate system, connecting: point A given by the coordinates “kh1=4.4 and kh2=6.9”; point B given by the coordinates “kh1=5.0 and kh2=6.4”; point C given by the coordinates “kh1=5.2 and kh2=6.2”; point D given by the coordinates “kh1=5.0 and kh2=5.6”; point E given by the coordinates “kh1=4.6 and kh2=5.2”; point F given by the coordinates “kh1=4.4 and kh2=5.0”; point G given by the coordinates “kh1=4.0 and kh2=4.6”; point H given by the coordinates “kh1=3.5 and kh2=4.4”; point I given by the coordinates “kh1=3.0 and kh2=4.1”; point J given by the coordinates “kh1=2.8 and kh2=4.0”; point K given by the coordinates “kh1=2.6 and kh2=3.4”; point L given by the coordinates “kh1=2.8 and kh2=3.0”; point M given by the coordinates “kh1=3.2 and kh2=2.4”; point N given by the coordinates “kh1=2.7 and kh2=2.4”; point O given by the coordinates “kh1=2.2 and kh2=3.0”; point P given by the coordinates “kh1=2.2 and kh2=3.5”; point Q given by the coordinates “kh1=2.5 and kh2=4.7”; point R given by the coordinates “kh1=3.0 and kh2=5.2”; point S given by the coordinates “kh1=3.5 and kh2=5.7”; point T given by the coordinates “kh1=4.0 and kh2=6.3”; and point A in this order to provide the range of ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTA surrounded by 20 lengths of lines; (d) structuring the SAW device so that kh1 and kh2 can fall in the range of ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTA including the surrounding 20 lengths of lines; and (e) using the fifth harmonic of the second mode of the SAW.
 3. A SAW device as defined in claim 1 or 2, wherein: (a) the fifth harmonic of the second mode of the SAW has a propagation velocity, denoted in v, of 4,500 to 6,500 m/s; and (b) the IDTs have a plurality of comb-tooth-shaped digit electrodes, of which the digit electrode's pitch, denoted as dm+df, is expressed in the following equation: dm+dm=(5·v)(2·f ₀), where dm: the width of the digit electrode, df. the distance between the neighboring digit electrodes, and f₀; the center frequency of the fifth harmonic of the second mode of the SAW.
 4. A SAW device as defined in claim 1 or 2, wherein: (a) the IDTs have the digit electrodes of which the width is 0.5 μm or more; and (b) the center frequency of the fifth harmonic of the second mode of the SAW is 5.0 to 11.3 GHz.
 5. A SAW device as defined in claim 1 or 2, wherein: (a) the IDTs have the digit electrodes of which the width is 0.5 μm or more; and (b) the center frequency of the fifth harmonic of the second mode of the SAW is 9.5 to 10.5 GHz. 